Automatic pencil



Feb. 3, v1925.

C. R. KEERAN AUTOMATIC IiENCIL Filed June 4, 1924 Patented Feb.. 3, i925.

sur rr CHARLES R. KEERAN, F CHICAGO, ILLINGIS.

- AUTOMATIC PENCIL.

Application filed June 4, 1924. Serial No. 717,686.

To all whom t may concern.:

Be it known that I, CHARLES R. KEERAN,

f a citizen of the United States, and resident of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in an Automatic Pencil, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to automatic pencils and particularly to an improve-ment in `the pencil constructions illustrated in the `copending applications of Deli, Ser.d No. 444,956, tiled Feb. 14, 1921; Keeran, Ser. No. 512,412, filed Nov. 3, 1921, aiid Keeraii and Lynn, Ser. No. 548,27 3, filed March v31, 1922.

An object of my invention is to provide a pencil having large capacity for *utiliz ing long leads, that is, leads approximately two inches in length.

This result is secured by eliminating all division walls in the lead chamber and lessening the diameter of the plunger head which travels to the upper end of the pencil body. The diameter of the plunger head is lessened by adopting the expedient of increasing the number of flat sides thereot', it being preferably pantagon in cross section instead of duplex or triplex as heretofore disclosed. v

Another object is to increaase the strength of the pencil body and enhance its beauty particularly where the body is composed of a composition material such as 'bakelite or redmanol, the result being secured by increasing the number of flat sides so that the body becomes more nearly circular. Preferably the body is decagon.

A further object is to simplify the construction in order that the vsteps in the process of manufacture and assembling may be easily and economically performed. A further object is to improve theconstruction of the means employed for projecting the eraser lfrom its seat after the outer portion becomes worn.

The invention will be more readily understood by referenceto the accompanying drawing, wherein,

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal vertic'al sectional View through a pencil constructed in accordaiice with my invention;

Figs. 2 and 3 are sectional views on the .lines 2 2, 3 3, respectively, of Fig, l;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view through a pencil of similar internal construction, but in which the body or barrel is composed of metal instead of bakelite, as in the case of the construction shown 1 in Fig. 1;

Figs, 5 and 6 are sectional views on the 60 lines 55, 6,-6 respectively of Fig. 4, and,

Fig. 7 is a sectional view, taken on the s'ame line as that of Fig. 2, and showing a modified form of magazine construction in which large lor checking leads are 85 employed.

In the drawings and referring particu-y larly to Fig. 1, I have illustrated a pencil body 10, which may be composed of bakelite, redin'anol or yvood, the bodyr being 70 preferably decagonal in cross section. By increasing the number of sides the body is more nearly circular in cross section and the beauty and strength are increased. The

body is axially molded or bored to provide recesses 11, 12, 13 of three diameters. The recess 11 is circular 'and the largest in diameter; the recess 12 is the smallest in diameter and is preferably .pentagon in cross section while the recess 13 may be 30 circular in cross section. l

The lower end construction is identical with that disclosed in prior applications such as those hereinabove identified and consists of a tip having a tapered portion 14 and a cylindrical portion 15, which fits over the reduced end 16 of the body. Fixed to the interior of the tip is the threaded tube 17, the threads being formed by rolling the same in the tube. Within the tube and the head 20, preferably pentagon in It will be noted that the cross section. tip together with the attached tube and 22. The large portion 21 securely contained plunger may be bodily lremoved longitudinally from the pencil body in any position of adjustment of the parts.

The me'ans for guiding the plunger head and preventing it from turning consists of a tube having a reduced pentagon ortion v ts the pentagon recess 12, the fit being such that it is necessary in assembling to drive the tube in place. The lower end of the portion 2l is surlnounted by a flange 23, which limits the upward movement when the parts are being positioned. The portion'22 of the tube has an internal diameter only slightly greater than that of the head of the plunger; thus the plunger may freely reciprocate in the space but is prevented from turning therein. juncture of the portions 21, 22 of the tube are tapered in order to facilitate the entering of the plunger into the tube 22. It will be noted that the tube 22 is unsupported except at the point of engagement with the body at the upper end of the recess 12; thus no transverse walls interfere with the lead magazine 24, which surrounds the guide tube 22.

It will be noted that the upper end of the tube 22 is contracted as at 25, to an extent sucient to prevent the head 20 from passing out at the upper end. However, ll provide a circular extension 26on the upper end of the plunger above the head, and shape the opening 27 at the upper end of the tube 22 to admit this extension. However, the opening is of a diameter less than the diameter of the lead :so that a user cannot by mistake place a lead in the upper end of the tube. However, the projecting portion 26 of the plunger may engage the transverse portion 28 of an eraser holder, the sides 29 of which gras an eraser 30' and hold the same within t e reduced upper end 31 of the errule 32.

-ln the event the eraser becomes worn to an extent necessitating ejection to present another portion, or removal for the purpose of replacement, the plunger is retracted by rotating the tip relative to the pencil body until the portion 26 of the plunger' projec s through the upper end of the tube and contacts. the lower wall of the eraser holder. Continued rotation will serve to eject the eraser to a point at which it may be grasped by the lingers. Preferably I provide a cap 33 for decorative purposes, the upper po-rtion of which maybe flared if desired, and the lower portion of which is cylindrical and of substantially the same diameter as the ferrule 32.

In the construction shown in Figs. 4 to 6 inclusive, the tip 34, attached lead tube 35, plunger 36, plunger head 37 and plunger exten-sion 38 are identical with those heretofore described. This is likewise true of the The vwalls at the reageer errule 39, cap 40, and eraser holder 41. rlhe body construction is, however, slightly diEerent and comprises a metal barrel 42, within the lower end of which a sleeve 43 is telescoped, the .sleeve projecting beyond the lower end of the barrel, and being lixed to the tip 34. rlihe sleeve has a concentric reduced lower end v44, which receives the extremity of a metal tube having three diameters. rllhe 'lower portion 45 is circular in cross section 'and the largest in diameter.

The portion 46 is pentagon in cross section and fits within a similarly shaped recess 47, concentric of a anged disc 48, soldered to the inner surface of the barrel 42. 'llhe upper portion 49 of thetube is likewise pentagon land the smallest in diameter. rllhis upper portion serves as a guide for the head 37 of the plunger.

rllhe operation of the two forms of the in vention is the same. Rotation ofthe tip relative to the body results in advancing or retracting the plunger in accordance with the direction of rotation of the plunger.

As a lead is worn ofi' at the point the plunger head finally reaches the enlarged portion of the tube, this being the portion 21 in Fig. 1 and the portion 46 in Fig. 4, at which point the plunger head may rotate freely and continued relative rotation of the tip and body results in no further advancement of the plunger. Thereafter the tip an-d attached parts are removed from the lower end of the body, the plunger retracted and a reserve lead inserted in the threaded tube. Upon replacement of the plunger and reassembling of the part-s the pencil is again ready for operation. Access to the reserve leads is secured by removing either the eraser or the ferrule from the upper end of the pencil.

It will be noted that the parts are so proportioned that the plunger cannot be retract/ed to a point `at which the threads are disengaged from the tube. Thus it is always possible to remove the plunger with the tip. Ocourse it will be understood also that in ejecting the eraser from the ferrule by which it is held, the action of the plunger, the resistance to the thrustl of which is on the tip, may result in displacing V.the tip downwardly instead of the eraser upwardly. In` that event a pressure of thc point of the tip on a Hat surface and the exerting of a downward pressure on the body will result in displacing the eraser upwardly with the return of the tip to its seat.

The advantage in the suggested constructions from the standpoint of manufacture will be apparent. ln the construction of Fig. 1, the assembling operation consists merely in inserting the guide tube and forcing the same into tightly'itting relation with the internal walls. The mounting of the cap and ferrule completes the assemllO - teria-l at the bling. ,This is likewise true of the construction of Fig. 4, except that the disk 48 is soldered in position and the tube t'hen inserted. In the construction of the body shown in Fig. 1, it is contemplated that the molding operation will result in the completed body h-aving the recesses of the shape desired. V

In the construction of Fig. 7 provision is made for the accommodation of a plurality of larger size leads such as used in checking and this is accomplished without weakening the body structure in the molded pencil. The result is accomplished by providing the body 49 with a'number of semicircular grooves 50, corresponding to the numbe-r of sides on the guide tube 51. In this case, the tube being 'pentagonal in cross section, there arefive of the grooves provided. These may refady .be molded in the formation of the body and the ridge of mapoint 52i between the grooves furnishes the requisite strength to offset the grooves inthe body. By this means a plurality of much larger leads may be accoml modated.

Obviously the construction is capable of some modification and I do not Vwish to be limited except as indicated in the appended claims.

I claim:

l. In a pencil, a body, means providing an axial, non-circular recess at mediate the ends of the body, two portions of different diameters, both portions being non-circular in cross section, the portion of the larger diameterl tightly fitting said non-circular recess, and lead feeding means including a plunger having a non-circular portion non-rotatablev and slidable in the smaller of the non-circular portions of said tube.

2. I stituting a lead magazine, contracted at a point substantially midway of. thelength of the body to form a noncircular recess, a tube having two portions of different diameters both portions being non-circular in cross section, the portion of the larger diameter tightly fitting said noncircular recess, and lead feeding means in'- cluding a plunger having a non-circular portion non-rotatableand slidable in the smaller of the non-circular portions of said tube.

a pointinterb a tube having b n a pencil, a body having a bore coni said bore being' lead feeding plunger having a head which is non-circular in cross section and of a diameter to enter the portion of smaller vdiameter of said tube without the capability of rotation therein, said head being capable of rotation in the portion of larger diameter of said tube.

4. A. pencil comprising in 'combination a body having a longitudinal axial opening from end to end thereof, the portion of said opening substantially midway of the length of the tube being of angular cross section and of lessl diameter than another portion of said opening, a guide tube having portions of two diameters, both of said portions being'polygonal in cross section, the portion of larger diameter constricted portion of the longitudinal opening, and a lead advancing plunger having a head of polygonal lcross section, 4adapted to rotate in the portion of said tube of larger diameter and prevented from rotation in the portion of said tube of smaller diameter.

5. A pencil comprising in combination a body having a longitudinal axial opening from end to end thereof, the portion of said opening'substantially midway of the length ofA the tube being of angular cross section and of less diameter thananother portion of said opening, a guide tube having portions of two diameters, both of said portions eing polygonal in cross section, said tubo eing open from end to end, the` portion of larger diameter cooperating 4with the said constricted portion ofthe longitudinal opencooperating with the said ing, and a lead advancing plunger having' a 'head ofv polygonal cross 'sect/ion, adapted to rotate in the portion of said tube of larger diameter and prevented from rotation in the portion of said tube ofsmaller diameter. Y

6. A pencil comprising in combination a body having a longitudinal axial opening from end to end thereof, the portion of said openingsubstantially midway of the length of the tube. being of angular cloSS SeQt'liQ'n and of less diameter of said opening, a guide tube having portions of two diameters, both ofsaid portions being polygonal', saidtube being open from end to end, the'open upper end being constricted to a diameter less than the diameter of a lead, the portion of larger diameter cooperating with the said constricted portion of the longitudinal opening, and a leady advancing plunger having a head of polygonal cross section, adapted to rotate in the portion of said tube of larger diameter and prevented from rotation in the'porti'on of said tube of smallerdiameter.

7. In a pencil, the combination of a body having a longitudinal bore 4of three diameters, the portion at the upper end being of greatest diameter and constituting .a 'lead magazine, the portion at thelower end being than another portion` of yless diameterl and shaped 'to receive a lead tube the intermediate portion of the bore being of least diameter and of angular cross section, a guide tube having portions of two diameters, the portion of the larger diameter being of angular cross section and fitting the intermediate portion of the bore of smallest diameter, the portion of the tube of the smaller diameter being of polygonal cross section and projecting centrally of the lead magazine, and a lead advancing plunger having a head of polygonal cross section the diameter of which is proportioned to enable the head to rotate in the larger of the two diameters of said tube and to be received and be prevented from rotation in the tube of the smaller diameter.

8. A pencil comprising in combination a body having an axial bore open from en to end, a portion of the bore substantially midway between the ends of the body being of angular cross section, a guide tube open from end to end and having portions of two diameters, thev portion of the larger v diameter being of angular cross section and snugly fitting the intermediate portion of the bore, the lower end of said tube being provided with a lateral projection adapted to act as a means for limiting the upward movement of the tube, andaJ lead advancing plnger adapted to cooperate with said tu e.

9. A pencil comprising in combination a body having an axial bore open from end to end, a portion of the bore substantially midway between the ends of the body being of angular cross section, a guide tube open from end to end and having portions o two diameters, the portion diameter being of angular cross section and snugly fitting the intermediate portion of the bore, the lower end of said tube being provided with a lateral projection adapted to act as a means for limiting the upward movement of the tube,and a lead advancing plunger adapted to cooperate with said tube, the upper end of said tube being constricted t0 a diameter 'less than the diameter of a lead to be used vin said pencil. p

10. ln a pencil, the combination of a. body having a guide tube, a plunger having a head cooperating with said tube, said tube being provided with a constricted portion at its upper end and said plunger being provided with a portionof smaller diameter above the head, said constricte'd portion of the tube preventing the head from passing therethrough but permitting the upper extension therefrom to pass through, and an eraser slidably mounted in the upper end of the pencil and adapted to be displaced outwardly by movement of the plunger.

11. ln combination, a pencil body having a guide tube fixedly mounted therein, a plunger, screw means for reciprocating the t body, of the larger reageer plunger without rotation, tle plunger 'having a head cooperating with said tube and provided with an upper extension from said head of less diameter than the head, the upper extremity of the tube being constricted to prevent the exit of the plunger head therefrom and permitting the extension to pass therethroug and an eraser frictionally held in the upper end of the pencil and adapted to be displaced upwardly to the extent of the extension on the plunger. y

12. -lln a pencil, the combination of a body having a longitudinal bore open from end to end thereof, the portion of the bore at the upper end being of the largest diameter and constituting the lead magazine, a portion of the bore. substantially midway bed tween the ends of the body being of the smallest diameter and of non-circular cross section, a tube having a portion of noncircular cross section cooperating with the intermediate portion of the bore and projecting centrally `of the lead magazine, said upper portion of the tube constituting a guideway for a plunger head, said tube approaching circular form in cross section and having a flat side, and lead advancing means comprising a tip and attached threaded tube, and a plunger having a head shaped to correspond to the cross section of the upper portion 'of the guide tube, said lead feeding means being removable bodily from the lower end lof the pencil.

13. lin a pencil, the combination of a body having an axial bore off three diameters, a tip removably fitted on the lower end of the a threaded tube fixed to the tip, a plunger cooperating with the threaded tube, a ferrule at the upper end of the body, an eraser slidably held in said ferrule9 the portion of the bore at the upper end being of largest diameter and constituting a lead magazine, lower end bein g of less diameter and capable of freely admitting the threaded tube, the

intermediate portion of the tube being of.

least diameter and of angular cross section, a guide tube having portions of two diameters, bothv portions being angular in cross section, the portion of larger diameter snugly fitting the intermediate portion of the bore, the vportion ofsmaller diameter of said tube projecting 'centrally magazine, the plunger having a head cooperating with said portion of smaller diameter of said guide tube, said head being freely rotatable in the portion of the guide tube of the larger diameter, said guide tube having an open upper end and the lunger being adapted to project through said open upper end and displace said eraser.

the portion of the bore at the of the lead la. lin a pencil, the combination of a body having an axial bore open from end to end of the body, the upper portion of the bore being of the largest diameter and constituting a lead magazine, a portion of the bore midway of the body being of the smallest diameter and of non-circular cross section,

' and a guide tube of two diameters, the portion of the largest diameter being fitted into the bore at the point -or lits smallest diameter, the upper portion of the tube approaching the circular in cross section and having a plurality of fiat sides, said upper portion of the tube being unsupported in the lead magazine, and lead feeding means including a plunger having a head of a cross section corresponding to the cross section of the upper portion of said tube.

Signed at Chicago, lll., this 2nd day of June, 1924. t

CHARLES R. KEERAN. 

